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Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter
Published on: March 12, 2013
Litter effects on seedling establishment interact with seed position and earthworm activity
1Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resource Management, Interdisciplinary Research Centre, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany. tobias.w.donath@umwelt.uni-giessen.de
Plant Biology (Stuttgart, Germany)
|October 7, 2011
Summary
Litter cover and earthworms reduce seedling emergence, but earthworms can benefit large-seeded species by burying them. Seed size influences emergence, with burial impacting seed banks differently for small and large seeds.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Plant Biology
- Soil Science
Background:
- Seedling establishment is crucial for plant community dynamics.
- Litter cover and seed predation are known influences on seedling emergence.
- Interactions between litter, seed predation, and soil fauna remain understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactive effects of litter cover and earthworm activity on grassland seedling emergence.
- To determine if litter's protective effect against seed predation varies with cover amount and seed sowing position.
- To assess how earthworm activity influences seed sowing position effects and seed germinability after burial.
Main Methods:
- A microcosm experiment manipulating grass litter amount, seed sowing position (surface vs. beneath litter), and earthworm presence.
- Testing emergence of five typical grassland species with varying seed sizes.
- Analyzing seed depth distribution and germinability after earthworm-mediated burial.
Main Results:
- Both litter cover and earthworm presence reduced overall seedling emergence.
- Seed position effects on emergence were more pronounced for larger-seeded species.
- Earthworms significantly increased emergence of large-seeded species sown on the surface by burying them.
- Approximately 6% of seeds germinated after burial, with no observed size-dependent effect on mobility or germinability post-burial.
Conclusions:
- Litter cover and earthworm activity are significant factors influencing plant community composition.
- Earthworm activity can modify the impact of seed sowing position and litter cover on seedling establishment.
- Differential effects of seed burial on large- versus small-seeded species can impact seed bank dynamics and future regeneration pools.
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